The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of flood control reservoir construction on public school enrollments, assessed valuation, leisure time activities, and residential housing and business enterprises. Flood control reservoirs studied in Indiana included Cagles Mill, Mansfield, Monroe, Salamonie, Mississinewa, and Huntington. Construction was completed on all six reservoirs during the years between 1952 and 1968.Local school enrollments were compared with the total state public school enrollment to determine if differences existed in yearly enrollment trends.The assessed valuation of townships affected by a flood control reservoir was compared with the total county assessed valuation to determine if differences existed in yearly trends.The data for attendance at state recreational areas were used to show yearly trends from the time of reservoir completion to 1969.Interviews with residents of the reservoir community were used to gather information regarding the physical changes which had taken place in the community since reservoir construction began. These physical changes include leisure time facilities, residential housing, and business enterprises.The major findings from this study were:1. Public school records in corporations affected by a flood control reservoir revealed changes in enrollment, but these changes did not indicate unusual patterns when compared to yearly public school enrollment figures of the total state.2. School districts located in the immediate flood control area involved did not appear to be abnormally affected because of changes in student population.3. Every township affected by reservoir construction decreased in total assessed valuation at the beginning of the project. The loss was reflected in either a reduction of the townships total assessed valuation or a lower rate of increase compared to the total county valuation.4. Where reservoirs have been completed three or more years, the townships involved reflect a higher assessed valuation than they did before construction.5. Surrounding property values in all reservoir areas were higher when reservoir construction was completed than they were before construction.6. More people are making use of all types of recreational facilities located at reservoirs. Camping in tents and trailers has increased more than any of the other leisure time activities investigated.7. Major new business consisted of marinas, combination grocery and bait stores, and private campgrounds.8. Business establishments throughout the state are being influenced by campers and fishermen because of the need for supplies when using the reservoir facilities. The lack of business in the immediate reservoir community and the convenience when boating, fishing, or camping to stock up on supplies were reasons for the influence throughout the state.Major conclusions included:1.If more permanent residents do not move into the reservoir communities, public school pupil population trends will not be altered, and school corporations will not be adversely affected by a reservoir being constructed in their school district.Unless permanent residents move into the reservoir communities and increase public school pupil.Population, the tax rates are very likely to decrease because of the increasing value of land around the reservoir. Property values around a flood control reservoir tend to increase during the time between the beginning of construction and two years after completion of the reservoir, because of its potential use by people for recreation and business.Unless adequate lodging facilities and restaurants are provided in the reservoir communities the areas will remain campgrounds for tents and trailers, or a one day outing facility.The Indiana flood control reservoirs will supplement and influence businesses in Indiana and adjoining states.Systematic community planning by interested local leaders should help to provide for the orderly residential and business development of the reservoir community.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/180621 |
| Date | January 1970 |
| Creators | Sell, Donald E. |
| Contributors | Swafford, George E. |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Format | vii, 97 leaves : ill. ; 28 cm. |
| Source | Virtual Press |
| Coverage | n-us-in |
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